8 Days Adventure Tour to Danakil Depression

In the early morning, meet up at convenient point in Addis Ababa and depart to Wanchi Crater Lake via the town of Ambo town (144 km asphalt road), situated in the western side of the capital. Up on arrival at Wanchi, begin your hiking or horseback riding on the hillside of the crater through the natural forest with a beautiful scenery. Inside the forest, you will observe different tree species, alpine vegetation, aquatic and terrestrial bird species, and mammals. Then, descend down to the natural hot-spring. Soak in the natural mud-pool and take bath in hot-spring for a relaxation and rejuvenation. Picnic lunch (goat steak bites, rice with cooked vegetable, and fruits) will be served at the green fields near to the hot-spring. Afternoon, continue hiking or horseback riding to the villages through the beautiful grassland water streams. You will have a short break to visit one of households in on of the villages to observe their daily lifestyle. Continue hiking to the shore of the lake and take in views of the lake shore from a peaceful dock. Then, our boat will pick you up to cross the lake. On the way, if time allows, stop over at the island of the lake and visit the monastery of Cherkos. Then meet our vehicle and drive back to Addis Ababa.

In the morning, drive to Awash Awash National Park (214 km). The park covers an area of 756 square kilometres, comprised mainly of acacia and grassland, but with an interesting range of volcanic landscapes. In the open areas and grass plains you should see grazing zebra alongside Beisa oryx, kudu, Soemmerring's gazelle and Swayne’s hartebeest. Olive and hamadryas baboons, as well as colobus and grivet monkeys, can be seen near the river, and the tiny dik-dik is often well camouflaged in the shade of the acacia thorn. Cats such as cheetah, serval, and leopard are also present (although less easy to spot) and lion, black-backed and golden jackals, and caracals can occasionally be seen. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded in Awash, ranging from the great ostrich, frequently seen, to the less common secretary bird and the Abyssinian ground hornbill. Vivid flashes of colour come from the carmine bee-eaters and the Abyssinian roller. And many more types of species occur - from birds of prey to birds of the forest and those occupying the savannah. Drive and hike through series of well-maintained tracks traverse the park, taking in the many scenic attractions. Overnight in Awash Falls Lodge Lodge.

In the morning, drive to Semera. On the way, visit and game drive to Allideghe Wildlife Reserve; covers in the main grasslands, wooded rises and mountains.  The reserve is a home to wild animals such as; lion, cheetah, Somali wild ass, Beisa oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle, spotted hyena, Northern gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra. Then proceed to Semera. Overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Hamedela over the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley system to the western highland. Lunch at Beraile town.  Arrival at Hamede’Ela, see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets. Overnight camping.

In the morning drive to Lake Asele and visit the thousands of camel caravans and the rock salt mining. Then drive further to Dallol Cobber Sink; the lowest spot-on earth’s surface not covered by water (-116m below sea level) enjoy the spectacular view the dramatic and colorful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. Then in the afternoon, drive to Dodom to visit the living Volcano, Erta’Alle which means "smoking mountain” in the local Afar language. At Dodom, our vehicle will stop here at the foothill of the volcano. Late in the afternoon, trek to the top volcanic mountain (2 hours trekking) to observe the night show of the dramatic magma eruption at the crater of Erta’Alle Volcano. Overnight camping.

In the early morning trek back to Dodom. Breakfast at Dodom. Drive to Afdera to visit Lake Afdera. Swim and relax and refreshment. Then, proceed to Semera. Overnight in Hotel

In the morning, flight back to Addis. Afternoon, visit Merkato (the largest open-air market in Africa). And you will have a leisure and shopping time. In the evening, fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for cultural dinner and dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to your destination. End of the trip.